PRIVMAN: Cal Chrome a 'go' in Hollywood Derby

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Kasept

It's Official: California Chrome's A Go.. In Saturday's Hollywood Derby

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome was entered Wednesday morning for Saturday’s Grade I $300,000 Hollywood Derby and will face five rivals in the 1 1/8-mile run over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

California Chrome would become the seventh Kentucky Derby champion to race at Del Mar after winning the Run For The Roses. Gato Del Sol (1982 Kentucky Derby winner), Ferdinand (1986), Unbridled (1990), Silver Charm (1997), War Emblem (2002) and Giacomo (2005) all subsequently raced at Del Mar.

It will be the first race on turf for California Chrome, a son of Lucky Pulpit owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn.

Trainer Art Sherman nominated California Chrome for both the Native Diver Handicap, 1 1/8-miles on Polytrack, and the Hollywood Derby, two of three graded stakes on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Bing Crosby Season. California rules stipulate that only one race could be entered, and when the time came Wednesday morning, Sherman did not waiver from a previously stated preference for the Hollywood Derby.

“I want to run him on the grass,” Sherman said. “It will give me a lot of options when he runs next year as a 4-year-old. And he’s got a chance at Horse of the Year (for 2014).”

California Chrome worked a half-mile on the turf course on Sunday. An open gallop through the stretch on the grass is planned for Thursday morning.

The Hollywood Derby field, in alphabetical order, is: Cabral (Kent Desormeaux), California Chrome (Victor Espinoza), Flamboyant (Mike Smith), Lexie Lou (Corey Nakatani), Sawyer’s Hill (Rafael Bejarano) and Talco (Drayden Van Dyke).

Post positions for the race were to be drawn at the close of entries later Wednesday.

man that field is weak, usually this race attracts some tough shippers.

[letswastemoney]

It will be an easy "G1" victory for Chrome then against that field.

[cakes44]

Are they gonna keep the horse wide to avoid trouble at all costs on the turf also?Not a fan of that kind of trip, but this field isn't the toughest either.

[Arletta]

If he does beat this weak field.. Will it be enough to clinch HOY or even 3 yr of the year?

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by Arletta

If he does beat this weak field.. Will it be enough to clinch HOY or even 3 yr of the year?

If Trevor says "They'd need to sprout wings…" then yes.

I'll be there in person to see it happen


from TRD clocker

California Chrome 11/23 DMR/FM 4F 52.0b
Appeared very comfortable over the local lawn despite many people
sharing their two-cents on how slow the drill was. The work was a
perfect introduction to grass & this colt will love the change in footing.
13 4/5, 26 3/5. Final ¼ in 25 2/5 while under a strangle hold. Just
finished watching him galloping on Thanksgiving morning @ 7:00 AM
on the grass & my opinion stays the same. The 2 time classic winner
may be better on the grass.

[Arletta]

Easy winner

[herkhorse]

Denman should be gagged

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Arletta

If he does beat this weak field.. Will it be enough to clinch HOY or even 3 yr of the year?

Why would him winning today matter at all for HOY? Bayern has destroyed him 2x now. If he wanted a prayer for HOY he should have shipped for the Cigar Mile or Clark.

[Smarty Cide]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Why would him winning today matter at all for HOY? Bayern has destroyed him 2x now. If he wanted a prayer for HOY he should have shipped for the Cigar Mile or Clark.

He's going to win it.

[geeker2]

What I can say as a fan, it was fantastic to be there in person. The crowd went wild !

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Why would him winning today matter at all for HOY? Bayern has destroyed him 2x now. If he wanted a prayer for HOY he should have shipped for the Cigar Mile or Clark.

I guess we will all just have to wait and see how the voting goes. Personally I don't really give a crap one way or the other who wins.

[Indian Charlie]

Destroyed?